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Greening EPA

Previous Sustainability Requirements

Executive Order 13693

Signed March 19, 2015, Executive Order (EO) 13693, Planning for Federal Sustainability in the Next Decade, required federal agencies to:

  • Reduce Scope 1 and 2 greenhouse gas emissions 46 percent by FY 2025 and reduce Scope 3 emissions 35 percent by FY 2025 from a FY 2008 baseline.
  • Reduce energy intensity 2.5 percent annually through FY 2025 from a FY 2015 baseline.
  • Use renewable electric energy for 30 percent of total building electricity use by FY 2025.
  • Use renewable electric energy and alternative energy for 25 percent of total building energy use by FY 2025.
  • Achieve energy net zero by FY 2030 in all new construction federal buildings greater than 5,000 gross square feet, beginning in FY 2020.
  • Achieve compliance with the revised Guiding Principles in at least 15 percent of existing buildings by FY 2025.
  • Reduce potable water intensity by 2 percent annually by FY 2025 from a FY 2007 baseline and reduce nonpotable water use 2 percent annually by FY 2025 from a FY 2010 baseline.
  • Reduce greenhouse gas vehicle emissions per mile 30 percent by FY 2025 from a FY 2014 baseline.
  • Divert at least 50 percent of non-hazardous solid waste, and at least 50 percent of non-hazardous construction and demolition debris annually.

EO 13693 was revoked and replaced by EO 13834: Efficient Federal Operations.

EO 13514

Signed October 5, 2009, Executive Order (EO) 13514, Federal Leadership in Environmental, Energy, and Economic Performance, introduced greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions management and reduction requirements for the federal government. EO 13514 required agencies to:

  • Develop an inventory of their Scope 1, 2 and 3 GHG emissions for fiscal year (FY) 2008 by January 2011 and submit an annual GHG emissions inventory following each fiscal year.
  • Establish GHG emissions reduction targets for Scope 1, 2 and 3 GHG emissions relative to an FY 2008 baseline.
    • EPA’s target was 25 percent reduction by 2015; in FY 2014, EPA had reduced its Scope 1 and 2 GHG emissions by 59.5 compared to FY 2008.
    • EPA’s target was 8 percent reduction by 2015; in FY 2014, EPA had reduced its Scope 3 GHG emissions by 45.8 compared to FY 2008.
  • Design all new federal buildings to achieve “zero net energy” by FY 2030, starting in FY 2020.
  • Reduce potable water consumption intensity 26 percent by FY 2020, compared to an FY 2007 baseline. Reduce industrial, landscaping and agricultural water use 20 percent by FY 2020, compared to an FY 2010 baseline.
  • Achieve a 50 percent solid waste diversion rate by FY 2015 and decrease chemical use.

EO 13423

Signed on January 27, 2007, EO 13423, Strengthening Federal Environmental, Energy, and Transportation Management, required federal agencies to meet the following goals:

  • Reduce energy intensity 3 percent annually and 30 percent cumulatively by FY 2015 (compared to an FY 2003 baseline).
  • Obtain at least 50 percent of current renewable energy purchases from new renewable sources (those that began operation after January 1, 1999).
  • Reduce water intensity 16 percent by 2015 compared to an FY 2007 baseline.

Energy Policy Act of 2005 (EPAct 2005)

Signed August 8, 2005, EPAct 2005 required federal agencies to reduce energy intensity in their facilities by 2 percent per year beginning in FY 2006, up to a cumulative 20 percent reduction by the end of FY 2015 (compared to an FY 2003 baseline).